Madrid raid Sevilla for Ramos

Real Madrid CF have made Sergio Ramos their final major signing of the summer by paying Sevilla FC €27m for the Spain defender.

Consistent performancesThe 19-year-old was tied to the Andalusian outfit until 2008, having extended his contract last November, but his consistent performances since making his Primera División debut during the 2003/04 campaign had made him one of the most heralded young talents in Spain. Madrid, with money to spend after the sale of Michael Owen and a hole to fill following the departure of Walter Samuel, had made little secret of their desire to land the teenager, who himself was known to favour a switch to the capital.

Spanish firstIn May, Ramos became the youngest player to win a Spain cap since goalkeeper Juan Acuña against Switzerland in 1941 and is currently with the squad preparing for games against Canada and Serbia and Montenegro. Ramos, who can play at right-back or in central defence, is the first Spaniard signed by Madrid since July 2000. He has signed an eight-year contract.

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